Black love with George The Poet and Sandra Mpanga from friends to soulmates: ‘Our relationship was a shock to me’-Alicia Adejobi-Entertainment – Metro

George The Poet and his wife Sandra Mpanga might just be the ultimate friends to lovers love story. 

After first meeting as teenagers, the two knew they had a special connection but it would be years before they would see each other in a romantic sense. 

But, anyone who has seen photos from George’s fairytale proposal, with the spoken word artist getting down on one knee and popping the question to Sandra in a room decorated with balloons from floor to ceiling, may be shocked to learn that they have only been an official couple for a few years. 

In a short space of time, they’ve mastered the art of being husband and wife and working together – Sandra is an event producer and head of operations for George’s successful brand, which has seen him host a BBC podcast and win a Peabody Award in recent years. 

Yes, they’re blissfully loved-up but it was all those years of nurturing their friendship that has so clearly become the foundation of their marriage. 

When they walk into Metro.co.uk’s studio in central London with big smiles on their faces and a certain glow radiating about them, it’s easy to see why their social media followers look to them as role models of Black love. 

George and Sandra Mpanga went from lovers to friends after meeting as teens (Picture: Natasha Pszenicki, Metro.co.uk)

‘The banter was so sharp that I was like, “Who’s that girl?”’ 

George, 31, and Sandra, 29, met in secondary school through a mutual connection and the rest is history. 

‘When we first met we connected as friends and I don’t actually remember who initiated the conversation, all I remember is that Sandra was talking to my close friend who’s her cousin and the banter was so sharp that I was like, “Who’s that girl?”’ George told us wearing a nostalgic smile. 

Sandra added: ‘We had been best friends for a long time at this point, we’d built a wonderful friendship, a great foundation and one day, George was just like, “Can’t do this anymore”.’ 

Their friends and family weren’t exactly shocked that they had finally given into a romantic relationship – let’s just say their obvious chemistry was the elephant in the room that everyone else was aware of, but the penny yet to drop for George and Sandra.

‘I think for the both of us our [friendship] was honestly so genuine and so pure that it was a shock to me at the time,’ Sandra admitted. 

But, once they took that next step in their journey, it was meant to be. 

George recalled: ‘I know for me it took me a while to have a real criteria for a partner, and once I finally landed on one, it didn’t take long to realise that it’s all Sandra because my fundamental motivation up until that point had only been work. In my mind I think I’d locked off the possibility of troubling Sandra – I saw it as why mess things up? Our friendship is elite, so where I don’t have romantic clarity and I don’t know what I want marriage-wise, let’s preserve this beautiful friendship.’ 

‘The representation of Black love is very important’ 

In December 2020, George – ever the romantic – tricked Sandra into thinking they were taking part in a photo shoot, only to surprise her with a marriage proposal accompanied by a huge balloon display and the initials of their first names in lights. 

The photos went somewhat viral on social media, with many unaware that Sandra and George were even an item but it didn’t take long for fans to celebrate their Black love, especially when they eventually tied the knot in the summer of 2021.

Sandra stole George’s heart with her banter when they first met but it would be years before they would become an official couple (Picture: Natasha Pszenicki, Metro.co.uk)

George was concerned about ruining their ‘beautiful’ friendship but realised his criteria in a partner was ‘all Sandra’ (Picture: Natasha Pszenicki, Metro.co.uk)

Representation for Black couples in the media can be minimal, particularly in film and TV, and it’s why the term ‘Black love’ has become so celebrated in the community. 

What does it mean for George and Sandra, proud British Ugandans who are put on a pedestal as one of the most positive representations of Black love in the UK? 

Sandra explained: ‘I think the representation of Black love is very important and when we got engaged, it was really lovely to see so many supportive messages, so much love was sent to us.

George, 30, and Sandra, 29, are held up as a positive picture of Black love by their supporters (Picture: Natasha Pszenicki, Metro.co.uk)

‘We’re still early in our journey,’ George said as they celebrate one year of marriage.
Make-up artist: IBK MUA, Hair: Atta Hair London (Picture: Natasha Pszenicki, Metro.co.uk)

‘One of the main messages that I felt kept popping up was, “wow, it’s so lovely to see two young Black people together”, and not even just Black but dark skin with braids and things I’ve never even thought of before that maybe to someone else that looks like someone [they] know and we’re blessed to have the opportunity to show that our love and hopefully a good representation of it that will hopefully motivate and inspire others.’ 

‘We’re still early in our journey’ 

George explained that he actually avoided talking about Black love publicly before starting his relationship with Sandra as he ‘didn’t really have anything to say’. 

‘Usually as a poet what I put out there is based on experience and things that I actually feel deeply about, but now I feel confident, happy and eager enough to talk to everyone about Black love, love in general and what it actually means to share my life with someone,’ he said. 

‘We’re still early in our journey but as Sandra was saying, just seeing the effect that it has on not just my followers but random people in the world who are inspired by what we have. 

‘I understand that it’s important because if you don’t see it you can start becoming cynical and think, does this actually happen?’ 

Well, George and Sandra are living proof that not only does Black love exist, but it’s so sweet when you find it. 

For Metro.co.uk’s full interview with George and Sandra, watch the video above. 

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